Ice-making machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to an ice-making machine provided with an ice formation reservoir ( 2 ), an auxiliary tank ( 6 ) and an ice storage region ( 5 ). Inner part of reservoir ( 2 ) is provided with a transport element ( 16 ), a shovel ( 4 ) with angular movement and a finger-type evaporator ( 3 ) forming ice pieces. During ice manufacturing process, shovel ( 4 ) moves periodically at low frequencies so as to attract impurity particles and water salts, leaving them far from ice piece formation regions. Through the machine of the present invention, impurity-free ice pieces are produced.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to an ice-making machine provided with means to agitate water inside its ice formation reservoir.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Machines intended to ice-making have quite popular applications in the market, as the use of ice for the most varied purposes occurs in a regular manner in the technique state. In this context, although sometimes they have certain particularities, most of said ice-making machines are provided with strong common characteristics, starting from the cooling system used to obtain ice pieces.

A standard cooling system applied to these machines comprises at least one unit of each of the following components: compressor, condenser, capillary tube and evaporator, the operation of an arrangement among these devices being very known by those who are familiar with the art.

Essentially, a coolant circulates through the system in the beginning with its temperature and pressure increased when flowing through compressor. After compression, the coolant passes through condenser, where its temperature decreases, however its pressure remains high, and the condenser may be provided with a fun aiming to accelerate heat loss of the coolant. After losing heat through condenser, fluid in its travel inside the circuit reaches the evaporator, inside which it evaporates through expansion of its volume and pressure reduction. As a result of the change in these fundamental parameters, the fluid has its temperature decreased when it flows inside evaporator.

Thus, as the evaporator is usually associated with ice forms, water inside these forms trends to change its state into solid, thus manufacturing ice pieces in the most varied shapes (hubs, half-spheres, pyramids etc.).

Among the several arrangements and devices used today, the use of finger-type evaporator for ice manufacturing has become popular. These evaporators basically consist in an elongated duct provided with a plurality of small tubes perpendicular to its side surface, these tubes—or fingers—being in fluid communication with the duct. Thus, when the coolant in low pressure circulates through this evaporator, a part of the fluid deviates towards the inner part of the several fingers, around which ice pieces are formed.

In ice machines using these finger-type evaporators, purity-, translucency- and transparency-related problems with ice pieces occur, as in most cases the water used is not free from impurities or even from an acceptable salt concentration. Thus, when a water volume provided with high concentrations of impurity is used in ice making, it is very probable that these undesirable substances will aggregate to ice pieces in formation around fingers, considering that ice is formed on a layer-by-layer basis in this type of evaporator. Accordingly, pieces will not be clean, translucent or transparent.

Aiming to overcome problems associated with obtainment of ice pieces free from undesired substances, such as impurities, gases, salts etc., some solutions have been developed, such as the objects described in patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,359 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,783, which provide an ice-making machine with means to periodically move the forms where ice pieces are formed, since these machines do not use finger-type evaporators and forms are not immersed into water.

This periodical movement is implemented based on the concept that ice form vibration prevents gases from aggregate to pieces in formation, as the agitation causes these gases to leave water deposited inside the forms.

However, although the current technique is provided with solutions aimed towards the manufacturing of ice pieces substantially with no impurities, there is still a gap regarding production of “clean” ice (i.e., translucent, transparent, impurity- and salt-free) in ice-making machines using finger-type evaporators.

Otherwise, in ice-making machines using this type of evaporator, a series of complications may occur due to concentration of salt and impurities, as the finger are immersed in water, one of said complications being the change in water boiling point, which may generate an overload in the cooling system, as lower temperatures to froze water should be reached.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

In this respect, the present invention has for objective to provide an ice-making machine with means to agitate water in the reservoir containing the evaporator, in order that impurities and salts are not aggregated to the ice pieces in formation, as well as means to keep water salt concentration in acceptable levels, without damaging formation of “clean” ice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is reached through an ice-making machine comprising: an ice formation reservoir comprising at least one evaporator associated with a machine cooling system; an auxiliary storage tank for a water volume provided with means to transport water to said reservoir; and at least one region for storage of ice pieces produced in the reservoir.

The reservoir in question further comprises at least one shovel angularly moving to agitate water inside the reservoir during the ice-making process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be now described in more details, based on an example of execution represented in the drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inner part of machine reservoir of the present invention with the shovel in its first position, or rest position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner part of machine reservoir of the present invention with the shovel in its second position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the main machine components of the present invention, illustrating the time of water inlet into the auxiliary tank;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the main components of the machine of the present invention, illustrating the time of water transfer from the auxiliary tank to the ice formation reservoir;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the main components of the machine of the present invention, illustrating the time the saturation level is reached.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the main components of the machine under the present invention, illustrating the time the water transportation from the ice formation reservoir to the auxiliary tank; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the main components of the machine under the present invention, illustrating the time the limit level is reached

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ice-making machine 1 under the present invention ideally comprises an auxiliary tank 6, an ice formation reservoir 2 and at least one region 5 of ice pieces produced in the reservoir 2. Other components can be provided with this machine, above-mentioned components being the main components for realization of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, machine 1 comprises, in addition to above-mentioned elements, an intake piping 13 associated with a water supply system, a supply valve 7 and optionally a filter 14. Thus, according to this construction, the ice formation cycle initiates with the water supply to auxiliary tank 6, where in first the water of a supply system runs the intake piping 13 up to the supply valve 7, from which it will be stored in the auxiliary tank 6.

The supply system in question consists of a public water supply or other variations, such as tanks and other reservoirs having as objective to supply water to machine 1 of the present invention.

Moreover, as required, a filter 14 may perform the first removal of water impurities, which are harmful both to good functioning of the machine 1 and to obtainment of transparent or “clean” ice pieces. Should this filter 14 be supplied, an intermediate piping 15 conducts water from valve 7 up to input of filter (14) and output of filter 14 to input of tank 6. Even through water filtering, it is not possible to assure formation of clean ice pieces.

Obviously, filter 14 may be still provided together with the conventional intermediate piping 15, directly connected to tank 6. Obviously, in this case the implementation of a control device at manufacturer's choice will be necessary, aiming to control water which will be intended either to filter 14 or directly to tank 6.

Auxiliary tank 6 is provided with means to transport water stored inside it to the ice formation reservoir 2, this means being preferably a transfer pump 11 provided in the inner part. Thus, after a water volume of the supply system is contained in tank 6, pump 11—through an associated piping (not illustrated) transfers part of this quantity of water to the reservoir 2 until reaching a work level A, prior to the ice production process, as it can be seen in FIG. 4.

This level A assures that water contained in reservoir 2 is provided in the volume necessary to initiate the ice production process. Thus, once said work level A is reached and the ice production process is initiated, pump 11 stops water transfer from auxiliary tank 6 to reservoir 2, remaining inoperative during the entire piece formation stage inside reservoir 2.

Moreover, this water level A is necessary as machine 1 uses at least one finger-type evaporator 3 inside reservoir 2, and it is essential that its “fingers” are at least partially soaked in water.

This finger-type evaporator 3 applied to machine 1 of the present invention comprises a framework as shown in the technique status, i.e., a duct with elongated length and provided with a plurality of fingers perpendicular to geometrical axis near side surface. Said fingers in fact consist in small tubes fluidly connected to the duct, whereby the coolant circulating inside duct runs fingers when flowing inside evaporator. Moreover, evaporator 3 is associated with a cooling system contained in machine 1 of the present invention, through which the coolant circulates.

Thus, with low-temperature coolant running the evaporator, water portion of reservoir 2 in contact with fingers changes its state into solid, in such a way that ice pieces are formed around these fingers, layer-by-layer, through heat exchange between coolant and water.

However, as mentioned above, even though water in reservoir 2 is filtered, it can still contain impurities or salts in concentrations which may jeopardize properties of transparency, translucency and absence (or low presence) of ice piece impurities. Thus, aiming to keep such substances far from ice formation regions, in this case the fingers, machine 1 of the present invention further comprises a shovel 4 with angular movement, whose displacement inside reservoir 2 will attract undesired particles, leaving fingers free from such impurities.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the ice formation reservoir 2 of machine 1 of the present invention, comprising a shovel 4 and an evaporator 3. Shovel 4, in its preferred embodiment, comprises two structural portions, the first of which being a pivoted support 17 and the second a pulling crosspiece 18, the support ends 17 being supported in holes arranged in opposite side walls of the reservoir 2 and the crosspiece 18 being associated with said support 17.

Considering that shovel 4 has as function to attract particles through their movement, it is interesting supply it in a region where its performance will be high, in this case, shovel 4 is preferably arranged to perform its movement around the geometrical axis of evaporator 3 duct, thereby angularly moving at a radius defined by support 17 and by cross section of reservoir 2. Due to that construction, pivoted portion of support 17, which is supported in the holes, is substantially aligned with the geometrical axis of evaporator 3 and the pulling crosspiece 18 is supplied in such a way that its body remains parallel to extension of evaporator 3. Preferably, shovel 4 is designed to run an angle of substantially ninety degrees with its movement.

Moreover, pulling crosspiece 18 is provided with a plurality of oblong holes 19 arranged lengthwise in sequence and parallel each other, so as to adopt a perpendicular position with their longitudinal axis, in addition to be provided with convex ends 20, forming a substantially obtuse angle to the face of crosspiece 18 in which holes 19 are supplied.

Thus, shovel 4 performs a movement varying between a first position, illustrated in FIG. 1, to a second position, illustrated in FIG. 2, this movement being performed, preferably uniformly in low frequency, in order to assure symmetry of water flow induced by shovel 4. From this constant movement, undesirable particles (impurities and salts) are invited and attracted to follow shovel 4 movement, remaining far from fingers where ice pieces are formed.

Angles other than those preferred and substantial 90-degree where shovel 4 will run may be designed and implemented, without jeopardizing the scope of the present invention at all, provided that their functionality to keep particles far from ice formation regions is not affected.

After completion of ice making process, shovel 4 returns to its first position, which can be also called rest position, and a great part of water volume remaining in reservoir 2 is drained and intended to the auxiliary tank 6. This drainage occurs through a transport element 16, preferably a trap, arranged near a reservoir 2 wall.

However, other devices can be also implemented to transport water contained in the auxiliary tank 6 to the ice formation reservoir 2, such as a reversible pump or an electromechanical valve. However, in this case, operation will be carried out in a manner somewhat different from description below, as the trap is “activated” in a distinct manner compared with a valve and a pump.

Thus, as it generates a pressure difference between reservoir 2 and tank 6, the transfer pump 11 provides an additional amount of water to reservoir 2 which is sufficient to reach a saturation level B, activating the transport element 16 which, in this case, means to fill trap in full, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

In having its internal volume entirely filled with water a pressure difference is created and the own air mass is responsible for “pushing” water from ice formation reservoir 2 to the auxiliary tank 6, according to operation principle of a conventional trap, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

On the other side, should a transport element 16 other than a trap be applied, machine 1 operation principle will remain unchanged, i.e., if a reversible pump or an electromechanical valve is applied, water transfer from ice formation reservoir 2 back to auxiliary tank 6 will still occur, so as not to affect the scope of protection of the present invention.

At the completion of water transportation from reservoir 2 to tank 6, the cooling system causes the coolant to circulate through evaporator in high temperature, aiming to detach ice pieces and causing the same to fall over the lower surface of reservoir 2. From this point, shovel 4 that was in its rest position, performs a movement up to its second position, which can be also called disposal position, pushing ice pieces inwards ice storage region 5, which is preferably arranged near the front portion of machine 1 and, as a result, the reservoir 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, ice storage region 5 preferably is a basket, however other possible embodiments may be used, such as a tray or other article of the same kind.

Inside this region, pieces are found ready to be used by the consumer.

Considering that ice has been manufactured with impurity-free water, residual water intended to tank 6, therefore, contains the undesired particles which were impeded from aggregating to pieces in formation, in such a way that this water constitutes a reasonably concentrated solution of salts and substances which are harmful to formation of “clean” ice and, therefore, not useful for manufacture of new pieces.

Accordingly, in order to balance those concentrations and control their levels, in the subsequent formation cycle, an additional water volume is obtained in the same manner as the first: through supply valve 7, which allows an additional water volume derived from the supply system to be intended to auxiliary tank 6, thereby performing the mixture between the concentrated impurity solution and the newly-obtained water volume, thus balancing concentrations.

In this context, the process to obtain ice pieces is initiated again and repeatedly performed, however it can be interrupted by the user or by any predefined control configuration.

However, as in each cycle of this process an additional water volume is intended to tank 6, there will be a time when its capacity may overflow. In order to prevent this condition, machine 1 of the present invention comprises a drainage tank 8 fluidly connected to auxiliary tank 6 in such a way that the water volume of this tank 6 exceeding limit level C will be automatically and immediately intended to the inner part of drainage tank 8, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Moreover, drainage tank 8 is not only designed to store water exceeding from auxiliary tank 6, but also to concentrate the entire exceeding water volume produced along the ice formation cycle, such as ice defrosting-derived water arranged at region 5.

Finally, water present inside drainage tank 8 is discarded through an exhaust pump 9 by an output piping 12. Destination of residual water of this process will depend on the user or manufacturer, its subsequent use being a non-restrictive fact to the scope of the present invention.

Thus, from the use of shovel 4 together with the constant dilution of impurity and salt concentration in water, it is assured that ice pieces formed will be always “clean”, i.e., impurity-free, translucent and transparent, in addition not to damage machine 1 operation, considering that, if ice pieces were manufactured from a mixture of water with impurities, water solidification temperature would not be 0° C. any more, but a temperature lower than this, which would force the cooling system to have a deficient functionality.

After describing an example of preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention covers other possible variations, limited only by contents of the attached claims, the possible equivalents being included therein. 

1. An ice-making machine (1) comprising: an auxiliary tank (6) for storage of a water volume; an ice formation reservoir (2), comprising at least one evaporator (3) associated to a machine cooling system; an auxiliary tank (6) provided of means to transport water to reservoir (2); at least one region (5) for deposit of ice pieces produced in the reservoir (2), characterized in that the reservoir (2) further comprises at least one shovel (4) which moves angularly to agitate water inside reservoir (2) during ice production process.
 2. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1, wherein the shovel (4) comprises a pivoted support (17) and a crosspiece (18), the ends of support (17) being supported in holes arranged in opposite side walls of the reservoir (2), the crosspiece (18) being associated to said support (17).
 3. An ice-making machine, according to claim 2, wherein the crosspiece (18) comprises a plurality of oblong holes (19), perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, lengthwise arranged in sequence and parallel with each other and convex ends (20), forming a substantially obtuse angle to the face of crosspiece (18) in which holes (19) are provided.
 4. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1, wherein the shovel (4) moves around longitudinal axis of evaporator (3).
 5. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1, wherein a supply system supplies water to auxiliary tank (6) by means of a supply valve (7) on each ice formation cycle.
 6. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1, wherein the means to transport water from the auxiliary tank (6) to reservoir (2) comprises at least one transfer pump (11).
 7. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1 wherein the transfer pump (11) supplies to the ice formation reservoir (2) a water volume sufficient to reach a work level (A) prior to the ice making process.
 8. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1 wherein the transfer pump (11) stops water supplying to reservoir (2) during the ice making process.
 9. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1 wherein the ice making process occurs when the water in the reservoir (2) reaches work level (A) and when transfer of pump (11) ceases.
 10. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1, wherein the evaporator (3) is a finger-type evaporator.
 11. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1 wherein the transfer pump (11) supplies an additional water volume to the ice formation reservoir (2) until reaches a saturation level (B) higher than work level (A) after completion of ice making.
 12. An ice-making machine, according to claim 1 wherein the ice formation reservoir (2) further comprises a transport element (16) able to transfer water contained inside of it back to the auxiliary tank (6) when saturation level (B) is reached.
 13. An ice-making machine, according to claim 9, wherein the transport element (16) is a trap.
 14. An ice-making machine according to claim 9, wherein the transport element (16) is a reversible pump.
 15. An ice-making machine according to claim 9, wherein the transport element (16) is an electromechanical valve.
 16. An ice-making machine according to claim 1 wherein the shovel (4) adopts a rest position and ice pieces are detached from evaporator (3) after transferring water of the ice formation reservoir (2) to the auxiliary tank (6).
 17. An ice-making machine according to claim 16, wherein the ice pieces detached is pushed by shovel (4) up to the ice storage region (5).
 18. An ice-making machine according to claim 1 wherein a water volume derived from water supply system is added and mixed to the water returning to tank (6) derived from reservoir (2).
 19. An ice-making machine according to claim 1, further comprises a drainage tank (8) which can store the water volume exceeding a limit level (C) inside auxiliary tank (6).
 20. An ice-making machine according to claim 1, wherein the drainage tank (8) further comprises an exhaust pump (9) and a water output piping (12) associated therewith. 